BA Direct Entry Pilot.
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There is a lot of fixating on the lowest pay point which I don't really understand.
In my opinion looking solely from a monetary point of view, attaining a quick command and potential LTC position in Easyjet etc is going to be lucrative in the short term. My own quick ballpark maths, which may be incorrect, gives me an age of 31 as the point where it is not worth joining BA, from a monetary point of view.
If I were lucky enough to join BA I would certainly lose a considerable amount of cash over the next 10 years, but I should in time catch up. There are plenty of young pilots that don't want to endure the pain for the longer term gain because they do not wish to sacrifice their current cash-flow and lifestyle, a perfectly valid outlook. Each to their own. For me, the decision to apply to BA rests with lifestyle and longterm gain.
Comparing apples with apples I believe KLM and Aer Lingus offer a similar starting salary to BA? I have friends who joined SAS recently who describe living on their pay point one as "challenging". The decision to join these career airlines is not about starting salary, for me at least.
In my opinion looking solely from a monetary point of view, attaining a quick command and potential LTC position in Easyjet etc is going to be lucrative in the short term. My own quick ballpark maths, which may be incorrect, gives me an age of 31 as the point where it is not worth joining BA, from a monetary point of view.
If I were lucky enough to join BA I would certainly lose a considerable amount of cash over the next 10 years, but I should in time catch up. There are plenty of young pilots that don't want to endure the pain for the longer term gain because they do not wish to sacrifice their current cash-flow and lifestyle, a perfectly valid outlook. Each to their own. For me, the decision to apply to BA rests with lifestyle and longterm gain.
Comparing apples with apples I believe KLM and Aer Lingus offer a similar starting salary to BA? I have friends who joined SAS recently who describe living on their pay point one as "challenging". The decision to join these career airlines is not about starting salary, for me at least.
BA Direct Entry Non Rated
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Think very carefully!
In a behind closed doors deal which we were informed of lastnight, BALPA and BA have torn up Bidline for Shorthaul.
You will be working to EASA limits from Jan 1st.
In a comprehensive betrayal of its members, the Union has looked after its mates in longhaul, and thrown the rest of us to the dogs.
You will be working to EASA limits from Jan 1st.
In a comprehensive betrayal of its members, the Union has looked after its mates in longhaul, and thrown the rest of us to the dogs.
Airbus
....Just come over from this AM's debate on the BA Balpa Forum by any chance?
For completeness this what the BALPA newsletter I got actually said on that subject:
FWIW yes, I feel the deal is pants, most especially given the lack of movement in efficiencies from other areas of the workforce....and yes, I know "we" (as in Long Haul) "will be next".
As an aside beyond the heated rhetoric I really feel the BACC has a serious communications problem......personalities and their position in the scheme of things on the line is definitely getting in the way of any chance of a reasoned debate.
....Just come over from this AM's debate on the BA Balpa Forum by any chance?
In a behind closed doors deal which we were informed of lastnight, BALPA and BA have torn up Bidline for Shorthaul.
You will be working to EASA limits from Jan 1st.
You will be working to EASA limits from Jan 1st.
Shorthaul FDP tables are to be replaced with the FDP limits from EASA FTLs (EASA FTLs will not be introduced by BA until 1st March 2016 and until then, the current Scheme limits will continue to apply).
As an aside beyond the heated rhetoric I really feel the BACC has a serious communications problem......personalities and their position in the scheme of things on the line is definitely getting in the way of any chance of a reasoned debate.
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Wiggy I agree, until the current chairman changes, and a less confrontational, my way or the highway character takes over, the BACC will have a problem with it's comms.
Last edited by Juan Tugoh; 4th Nov 2014 at 10:59.
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Airbus Unplugged - it's not BALPA or BA that have thrown you to the dogs, it's the market. We live in a capitalist system. BA short haul needs a lower cost base to remain competitive, turn a profit and ultimately - survive. This is derived through 'efficiencies'. Bid line is not the most efficient way of rostering your human resources.
It's a cruel world. But don't worry, BA long haul will have to face it's own day of reckoning in the near / medium future. Wait for Norwegian or similar to crack an acceptable cheap transatlantic service and everyone will have to follow.
Everything has changed. It's horrible for all our T and Cs, but there's only one way this is going.
Don't go blaming BALPA or even the company. Our country's / the world's economic model is set up to make this happen. Customers will chose the lowest cost acceptable product they can find - and businesses must provide what is wanted or go under.
Sitting as a BA employee it would be easy to feel slightly immune / protected / outside the cut throat nasty world of cheap low cost no frills airlines. As Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco's have found out - you're not. Aldi and Lidl are coming for you. I'm afraid BA is not Fortnum and Masons or Harrods. At best it's Waitrose - and even they have to have a competitive cost base, comparative pay and staffing.
It would also be easy to think BA just needs a little tweak here and there. Minor adjustments to bid line etc. Willy Walsh knows this isn't the case and that wholesale reform is required. Terrible, but true.
Most BA pilots know that the market and reality is barking at the door. Those close to retirement might just walk out the door and not face the new era. However, for those younger, and those contemplating joining, be in no doubt, the last hiding place from the harsher airline world is going to disappear.
I really wish it was otherwise.
It's a cruel world. But don't worry, BA long haul will have to face it's own day of reckoning in the near / medium future. Wait for Norwegian or similar to crack an acceptable cheap transatlantic service and everyone will have to follow.
Everything has changed. It's horrible for all our T and Cs, but there's only one way this is going.
Don't go blaming BALPA or even the company. Our country's / the world's economic model is set up to make this happen. Customers will chose the lowest cost acceptable product they can find - and businesses must provide what is wanted or go under.
Sitting as a BA employee it would be easy to feel slightly immune / protected / outside the cut throat nasty world of cheap low cost no frills airlines. As Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco's have found out - you're not. Aldi and Lidl are coming for you. I'm afraid BA is not Fortnum and Masons or Harrods. At best it's Waitrose - and even they have to have a competitive cost base, comparative pay and staffing.
It would also be easy to think BA just needs a little tweak here and there. Minor adjustments to bid line etc. Willy Walsh knows this isn't the case and that wholesale reform is required. Terrible, but true.
Most BA pilots know that the market and reality is barking at the door. Those close to retirement might just walk out the door and not face the new era. However, for those younger, and those contemplating joining, be in no doubt, the last hiding place from the harsher airline world is going to disappear.
I really wish it was otherwise.
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The 'we've all been shafted on SH and you're alright on LH' argument doesn't really help anyone.
Excepting those who are already in the LHS on LH and will, probably, remain in that position the natural 'flow' to LHS LH is through LHS SH.
Therefore, for the majority of pilots in BA who aim for LHS LH they will have to accept the new SH regulations. Ironically these regulations would have become law anyway in 2016. What is coming in is increasing the productivity for the SH crews whilst at work without increasing the number of days at work.
Nothing is ideal, we would all like to go back to the heady days of the 60's and 70's where one or two trips a month was the norm. It isn't going to happen unfortunately.
As far as the communications from BALPA BACC have been, in my opinion, atrocious and the 'we know best we'll feed you the crumbs when we deem fit' approach hasn't helped ease tensions.
Excepting those who are already in the LHS on LH and will, probably, remain in that position the natural 'flow' to LHS LH is through LHS SH.
Therefore, for the majority of pilots in BA who aim for LHS LH they will have to accept the new SH regulations. Ironically these regulations would have become law anyway in 2016. What is coming in is increasing the productivity for the SH crews whilst at work without increasing the number of days at work.
Nothing is ideal, we would all like to go back to the heady days of the 60's and 70's where one or two trips a month was the norm. It isn't going to happen unfortunately.
As far as the communications from BALPA BACC have been, in my opinion, atrocious and the 'we know best we'll feed you the crumbs when we deem fit' approach hasn't helped ease tensions.
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Direct entry recruitment
Any news on the recruitment campaign guys? Did they successfully recruit enough airbus rated people for this year and next. The same for the Boeing wide body opening? Is the Non rated recruitment just to fill a small gap in the numbers? Even after all of the above postings I'm still interested. 
Join Date: Oct 2011
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I'm not a BA pilot (unfortunately, one day maybe...), but if the 'only' outcome of the SHBR is a change to bidline and increased hours then surely that's not too bad? Is it being completely abolished or are pilot's still going to be able to have input into their rosters? As people have pointed out, EASA FTL's were coming anyway.
What would concern me is the continual downward pressure on T&Cs not letting up. Bidline changes might be enough now, but what if management come calling again in a years time? What do you conceed then? If all the current situation is doing is slowing the gradual slide to a BA Express type system then you might as well do it now and get it over with. Maybe this latest round will be enough, but people thought that after the PP34/BMI efficiencies....
What would concern me is the continual downward pressure on T&Cs not letting up. Bidline changes might be enough now, but what if management come calling again in a years time? What do you conceed then? If all the current situation is doing is slowing the gradual slide to a BA Express type system then you might as well do it now and get it over with. Maybe this latest round will be enough, but people thought that after the PP34/BMI efficiencies....
but what when management come calling again in a years time?
I think the next give will have to be from Long Haul, I don't think (from what has been posted elsewhere today) Short Haul have anything left....
Last edited by wiggy; 4th Nov 2014 at 15:42. Reason: from what has been posted elsewhere today...
they have however already told us and the city it is called project Darwin.
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British Airways medical requirements
Sorry if this has been answered earlier but I can't find much since 2005! What do BA mean by their "British Airways medical requirements" part of the process - is it a medical, if so what is involved? Many thanks.